Electrical connector with clip mechanism

ABSTRACT

Provided a clip set ( 50 ) for pressing a CPU toward LGA contacts of a CPU socket comprises, a rigid body having an elongate base ( 501 ) with upper and lower edges. A set of first pressing finger ( 502 ) extends from the upper edge traversally and away from the base. Each of the first pressing fingers includes a first pressing pad located at a first plane. A set of second pressing finger ( 503 ) extends from and away from the base, and includes a second pressing pad located at a second plane differential to the first plane. The set of first and second pressing fingers are dimensioned to be located in two different levels so as to assert downward pressure to a die ( 302 ) of the CPU and a substrate ( 301 ) of the CPU, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a clip, and more particularly to a clip including at least two pair of pressing fingers asserting downward force evenly to a die and a substrate of a CPU chip therefore preventing potential warpage of the CPU.

2. Background of the Invention

U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,848 issued to Lai on Mar. 3, 1998 discloses a typical connector socket, and which is generally referred to as ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket. In generally, the socket includes a base with a plurality of contacts assembled therein, and a cover moveably attached to the base. A lever along with a cam mechanism is arranged between the base and cover at a head portion so as to drive the cover from a first position to a second position. When the lever is located in a vertical position, the cover is located at the first position, in which a hole in the cover is completely in align with a corresponding passageway in the base. In this position, a pin leg of a CPU can be inserted from the cover into the passageway without any engagement with the contact. When the CPU is properly seated on the cover, then the lever is moved from the vertical position to a horizontal position, and simultaneously driving the cover from the first position to the second position. During this process, the pin leg of the CPU is then in contact with the contact within the base. The Lai '848 is specially directed to a desk-top computer.

CPU socket used on notebook is substantially similar to what is used on the desktop computer, and the only difference is on the lever used on '848 patent was replaced by a screw with a cam mechanism. When the screw is driven or rotated, the cover is driven to move along the base, therefore he pin leg of the CPU is then in contact with the contact within the base, and no detailed description is given here.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,197 issued to Shirai on Feb. 21, 2006 discloses another type of connector socket, and which can be generally called LGA socket. The ration is when the performance become more and more powerful, the input/output (I/O) of the CPU is accordingly increased as well. The original pin-leg type of chip occupies more estate on the bottom surface of the CPU. In order to increase the I/O, conductive pads are introduced to replace the pin-leg so as to directly and electrically contacted with contact terminals within the socket. No doubt, more I/O are provided.

As clearly shown in Figures, this is a brand new configuration and is different to what Lai '848 disclosed. The socket generally includes a metal stiffener with a housing securely supported therein. Then a metal clip is pivotally assembled to the stiffener. On the other hand, a clip is pivotally assembled to the other side of the stiffener and when the clip is closed to the stiffener, the lever having a cam can lock the clip to a closed position. By this arrangement, if before the clip is closed, and a CPU is seated on the housing, then the clip will tightly press the CPU toward the housing ensuring proper electrical connection therebetween.

Shirai '197 can be easily applied on the desktop computer as it has robust room for the operation of the lever, while it is almost impossible to apply Shirai '197 directly to the notebook in view of its compact, and thin space.

Another factor has to be also considered in view of the configuration of CPU chip. It generally includes a substrate, and a die including chip is mounted thereon. Even it is rigid, but is still vulnerable to deform or warp if downward force applied thereon is not evenly distributed. In Shirai '197 patent, the die is not pressed by the clip which has a window for it. The die is later in direct contact with a heatsink. As a result, when applying the so-called LGA socket to notebook, how to provide a mechanism functionally similar to Shirai '197, while keep downward force evenly distribute to both die and substrate, is a motive for the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore there is a need to provide clip mechanism in which downward force are evenly distribute to both the die and the substrate thereby efficiently prevent the CPU chip from warpage.

In order to achieve the objective set forth, a clip in accordance with a preferable embodiment for pressing a CPU toward LGA contacts of a CPU socket comprises, a rigid body having an elongate base with upper and lower edges. A set of first pressing finger extend from the upper edge traversally and away from the base. Each of the first pressing fingers includes a first pressing pad located at a first plane. And a set of second pressing finger extend from and away from the base, and includes a second pressing pad located at a second plane differential to the first plane. The set of first and second pressing fingers are dimensioned to be located in two different levels so as to assert downward pressure to a die of the CPU and a substrate of the CPU, respectively.

According to one aspect of the present invention, wherein the set of first and second pressing fingers are integrally formed with the base.

According to another aspect of the present invention, wherein the set of second pressing fingers is assembled to the base.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an assembled, isometric view of an electrical connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an assembled, isometric view of an electrical connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded, isometric view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an assembled, isometric view of an clip mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded, isometric view of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, for purpose of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2, an electrical connector assembly 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention includes a printed circuit board 10, an electrical socket 20 having a contact engaging portion 202 extending beyond a top surface thereof, an IC module 30, electrically disposed on the socket and electrically contacted with the contact engaging portions 202, and a heatsink assembly 40, including a clip set 50 securely attached to the printed circuit board 10 pressing the IC module 30 toward the socket to ensure reliable electrical connection between the IC module 30 and the contact engaging portion 202.

Individual elements of the electrical connector assembly 100 will now be described in greater detail. The electrical socket 20 includes a substantially rectangular insulating housing 201, the housing 201 includes a supporting surface to accept an electronic component, for example an IC module 30, thereon and opposite facing mounting surface to a print circuit board 10. A plurality of passageways extends from the supporting surface toward the mounting surface and a number of contacts are received in the corresponding passageways forming the contact engaging portion 202. Two pairs of opposite walls 203 extend from the supporting face around the contact engaging portion 202.

The IC module 30 including a substrate 301, and a die disposed on the substrate 302. The heatsink assembly 40 further comprises a heat spreader 401 and a heat pipe 403, wherein the heat spreader 401 has two slots 402 for receiving the corresponding heat pipe 403.

The clip set 50 comprises a rigid body having an elongate base 501 with upper and lower edges, a set of first pressing finger 502 and a set of second pressing finger 503. The base has a substantially rectangular frame having inner rim 5011 and outer peripheral 5012. The inner rim 5011 equally forms four inner sides, and each has a set of first pressing finger 502 extending inward and downward from the inner rim 5011; the outer peripheral 5012 equally forms four outer sides, and each has a second pressing fingers 503 extends outwardly and downward from the outer peripheral 5012.

The clip set 50 comprises a number of the set of first pressing finger 502 and the set of second pressing finger 503; the set of first pressing finger 502 extending firstly horizontally, and then downward so as to form the pressing pad at a first plane, and each second pressing finger 503 includes a second pressing pad located at a second plane differential to the first plane. The set of first pressing fingers 502 and the set of second pressing fingers 503 are arranged spatially from each other, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, an electrical connector assembly 800 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention includes an electrical socket 80 having a contact engaging portion 801 extending beyond a top surface thereof, an IC module 802, electrically disposed on the socket and electrically contacted with the contact engaging portions 801, and a heatsink assembly, including a clip set 804 securely attached to the printed circuit board pressing the IC module 802 toward the socket to ensure reliable electrical connection between the IC module 802 and the contact engaging portion 801.

As shown in FIG. 3, the heatsink assembly also comprises a heat spreader 8031 and a heat pipe 8032, and the heat pipe 8032 attached to the heat spreader 8031 directly. The electrical connector assembly 800 also comprises a clip mechanism 804, the clip set 804 has a set of first pressing finger 8041 and a set of second pressing finger 8042, but the set of first and second pressing fingers (8041, 8042) are not integrally formed with the elongate base.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, provided another clip set 900 for pressing a CPU toward LGA contacts of a CPU socket comprises a rigid body having an elongate base 902 with upper and lower edges, a set of first pressing finger 903 and a set of second pressing finger 906. The set of first and second pressing fingers (903, 906) are not integrally formed with the elongate base 902. The set of first fingers 903 each has an end interconnected by an elongate plate 905, and the pressing pad is located substantially in a middle of the pressing finger. The elongate base 902 and the elongate plate 905 are located at the same plane.

In assembly, the electrical socket is located on the printed circuit board, an IC module, electrically disposed on the socket and electrically contacted with the contact engaging portions. A heatsink assembly, including a clip set securely attached to the printed circuit board for pressing the IC module toward the socket to ensure reliable electrical connection between the IC module and the contact engaging portion. In this way, the set of first pressing finger downward press the die and the set of second pressing fingers downward press the substrate.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various alterations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without in any way departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A clip, comprising: a rigid body having an elongate base with upper and lower edges; a set of first pressing finger extending from the upper edge traversally and away from the base, each first pressing finger including a first pressing pad located at a first plane; and a set of second pressing finger extending from and away from the base, each second pressing finger including a second pressing pad located at a second plane differential to the first plane.
 2. The clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of first fingers each has an end interconnected by an elongate plate, and the pressing pad is located substantially in a middle of the pressing finger.
 3. The clip as recited in claim 2, wherein the elongate base and the elongate plate are located at the same plane.
 4. The clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of first and second pressing fingers are integrally formed with the elongate base.
 5. The clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of second pressing fingers are assembled to the elongate base of the rigid body.
 6. The clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of first pressing finger extending firstly horizontally, and then downward so as to form the pressing pad.
 7. The clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of first pressing fingers are arranged spatially from each other.
 8. The clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of second pressing fingers are arranged spatially from each other.
 9. The clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of second pressing fingers are arranged alternatively from each other.
 10. The clip as recited in claim 1, wherein the base has a substantially rectangular frame having inner rim and outer peripheral, and the set of first pressing fingers extends inward and downward from the inner rim.
 11. The clip as recited in claim 10, wherein the set of second pressing fingers extends outward and downward from the outer peripheral.
 12. The clip as recited in claim 11, wherein the inner rim equally forms four inner sides, and each has a first pressing finger extending inward and downward.
 13. The clip as recited in claim 12, wherein the outer peripheral equally forms four outer sides, and each has a second pressing finger extending outward and downward.
 14. The claim as recited in claim 13, wherein the first pressing finger forms a first pressing pad, and the second pressing finger forms a second pressing pad which is differential to the first pressing pad.
 15. The clip as recited in one of claims 1, wherein the frame includes a retention portion located at a corner thereof.
 16. A clip assembly having a heatsink mounted thereon, comprising a rigid body having an elongate base with upper and lower edges; a set of first pressing finger extending from the upper edge traversally and away from the base, each first pressing finger including a first pressing pad located at a first plane; and a heatsink attached to the first pressing fingers.
 17. The clip assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein a heat pipe is assembled to the heatsink.
 18. The clip assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the set of first pressing fingers are arranged spaced from each other, and the heat pipe are disposed between every two adjacent pressing fingers.
 19. The clip assembly as recited in claim 18, further comprising a set of second pressing fingers extending from the base, wherein the second pressing fingers are located at a second plane which is differential to the first plane.
 20. An electronic system, comprising: a printed circuit board; an electrical socket having contact engaging portion extending beyond a top surface thereof; an IC module, electrically disposed on the socket and electrically contacted with the contact engaging portions, the IC module including a substrate, and a die disposed on the substrate; and a heatsink assembly, including a clip set securely attached to the printed circuit board pressing the IC module toward the socket to ensure reliable electrical connection between the IC module and contact engaging portions, and including a set of first pressing finger downward pressing the die, and a set of second pressing fingers downward pressing the substrate.
 21. The electronic system as recited in claim 20, further comprising a heat spreader attached to the set of first pressing fingers.
 22. The electronic system as recited in claim 21, further comprising a heat pipe attached to the heat spreader.
 23. A clip, comprising a frame member configured by first, second third and fourth bars interconnected from each other; a first pressing plate bridging first and third bars; and a set of second pressing pads configured by downward extending the second and fourth bars, and having a differential with respect to the first pressing plate.
 24. The clip as recited in claim 23, wherein the frame and the first pressing plate are located at a same plane.
 25. A clip equipped with heatsink device, comprising a frame body configured by first, second third and fourth bars interconnected from each other; a first pressing plate bridging first and third bars; a set of second pressing pads configured by downward extending the second and fourth bars, and having a differential with respect to the first pressing plate; and a heatsink disposed on top of the frame in contact with the first pressing plate.
 26. The clip as recited in claim 25, further comprising a heat pipe disposed above the second pressing pad and in contact with the heatsink. 